Please Note: Next week’s Public Policy Update will be published on February 18. The State Bar will be closed on February 17 in observance of President’s Day.

Focus: Governor’s budget proposal Last Wednesday, February 5, Governor Rick Snyder unveiled his FY 2015 proposed budget. Included in the $52 billion proposed budget is a recommended 2.1% increase in funding for the judiciary over current spending levels. Governor Snyder also highlighted several general fund expenditures in the judiciary budget:

$4.1 million to continue implementation of a unified case management information system;

$5.4 million to maintain drug treatment courts;

$5.8 million for mental health courts and jail diversion support;

$1 million to fund the newly created Michigan Indigent Defense Commission;

$1 million, one-time investment in the Trial Court Innovation Fund.

The budget now moves to the legislature for consideration, and final approval is expected by June 1.

2/11 Senate Judiciary, 2:30 PM, Farnum Room 110
Agenda:HB5121 Increase number of judgeships in the sixteenth circuit court; HB5122 Increase number of judgeships in the sixth circuit court;HB5123 Modify number of judgeships in the seventeenth circuit and the fifth district, and consolidate certain district court districts; HB5124 Consolidate certain circuit and district courts, and reduce the number of certain judgeships under certain circumstances; HB5125 Authorize consolidation of certain district court districts under certain circumstances and modify the number of judges; SB535 Create methamphetamine offenders registry, and require offenders to obtain a prescription to purchase ephedrine or pseudoephedrine products for a period of 10 years;SB563 Enact sentencing guidelines for crime of purchasing or possessing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine knowing that it will be combined with any other quantity of ephedrine or pseudoephedrine for the purpose of manufacturing or attempting to manufacture methamphetamine; SB564 Establish as a crime the purchase of pseudoephedrine or ephedrine for another individual who intends to manufacture methamphetamines; SB756 Prohibit selling or furnishing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine without a prescription to individual previously convicted of methamphetamine-related offense under certain circumstances;
And any other business properly before the committee.